O Flamengo presenciou duas despedidas de profissionais da base em um curto intervalo de tempo. Um dia após Fábio Matias, então técnico do time sub-20, pedir demissão para acertar com o Red Bull Bragantino, o clube viuFernando Truyts, que era coordenador socioeducacional até a semana derradeira de abril, se apresentar ao Palmeiras neste sábado.
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Truyts passa a trabalhar no Centro de Formação de Atletas do Palmeiras, com o mesmo cargo que exercia no Flamengo, inclusive.O profissional chegou a publicar uma mensagem de agradecimento ao Rubro-Negro nas redes sociais:
– Hoje me despeço do Clube de Regatas do Flamengo! Foram 3 anos de crescimento profissional e pessoal! Gratidão enorme as pessoas de fizeram parte da minha caminhada no clube (seria injustiça citar nomes, correndo risco de esquecer alguém)! Aqui, durante esse tempo, fiz amigos/irmãos que levarei para sempre! Sigo para um novo desafio e comigo levo um pouco de cada um, afinal, nós não somos nada sozinhos! Gratidão por tudo, e que Deus me abençoe e me faça instrumento da vossa vontade, para que eu possa seguir trilhando meu caminho da melhor maneira possível! Obrigado Flamengo, obrigado Rio de Janeiro e obrigado amigos! – escreveu.
Já para anunciar a sua chegada ao Palmeiras, postou o seguinte:
-Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras! Mais um desafio… Agradeço a essa instituição gigante por acreditar e confiar em meu trabalho para Coordenar o Núcleo Socioeducacional do CFA (Centro de Formação de Atletas). Agradeço a recepção de toda equipe, e juntos batalharemos para realizar um excelente trabalho! Que Deus me abençoe nessa nova jornada, e me faça instrumento de vossa vontade, na certeza de que darei o meu máximo no dia a dia de trabalho e convivência com atletas e todos os envolvidos no processo! Gratidão.
> Veja a tabela do Brasileirão
Saídas de profissionais do Flamengo para rivais do futebol nacional têm ocorrido com uma certa frequência nos últimos meses, como a deSandro Gomes, analista de desempenho que rumou ao Vasco, e Fábio Eiras, ex-preparador físico do Fla e que saiu em 2019 para o Athletico. Além de fisioterapeutas (para o próprio Palmeiras, como Fred Manhães), nutricionistas, dentre outros cargos.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is personally very eager for the Gunners to go and attempt a deal for one very highly-rated forward this month, as his side continue to scour the market for a potential Bukayo Saka replacement.
Arsenal suffer 2-0 Carabao Cup first leg defeat to Newcastle United
It was a Tuesday night to forget for Arsenal, who saw their hopes of winning the Carabao Cup and a piece of major silverware take a massive dent.
Arsenal set sights on signing £20m player as Arteta decides "top priority"
The Spaniard wants something above all for his squad.
By
Emilio Galantini
Jan 7, 2025
Arteta watched on from the Emirates Stadium sidelines as Newcastle United clinched a 2-0 semi-final first-leg win against his side, with goals from rumoured Arsenal transfer target Alexander Isak and England winger Anthony Gordon giving the north Londoners a real mountain to climb at St. James’ Park on February 5.
Arsenal are seriously missing star winger Saka’s output right now -who is expected to be out until March after undergoing surgery on his hamstring – and that is highlighted by Arteta’s men spurning a host of chances against Newcastle.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games
Date
Tottenham (home)
January 15
Aston Villa (home)
January 18
Wolves (away)
January 25
Man City (home)
February 2
Leicester City (away)
February 15
“Nothing – try to improve,” said Arteta on what Arsenal can do to be more clinical.
“You know, there are things that we could have done better. We were unlucky in moments. You need a certain luck for the ball to bounce there. You need that intuition as well, and if not, we’re going to have to generate more. That’s the thing that we can do. Then the probability will be higher for us to win, but certainly against this team to produce what we have produced, and looking back at the last six games that I watched, I haven’t seen it. But the result says 0-2, unfortunately.
“I think we kicked a lot of the balls over the bar, and it’s tricky because this ball flies a lot, and we discussed that as well. So there are details that we can do better. But, in the end, that’s gone. You know, this is no way back. It’s about the next game, and that’s the reality of our world.”
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams
Arsenal are believed to be scouring the market for a goalscoring winger to assist them in the final third, in place of the injured Saka, and you couldn’t do any better than Athletic Bilbao sensation Nico Williams in that respect.
The Spain international finished 23/24 with an impressive 19 assists and eight goals in all competitions, and Williams was a reported target for Arsenal in the summer window.
However, the £200,000-per-week winger appeared to decide on remaining at Bilbao, for this season at least, but that isn’t to say that a winter move is completely ruled out.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Arteta personally wants Arsenal to sign Williams in January, with the 22-year-old’s contract also possessing a buy-out clause of around £50 million.
That being said, a summer transfer is deemed more plausible, considering the total finances involved when factoring in wages. Williams also isn’t agitating to leave Bilbao right now, so Arsenal would seemingly need to make an offer he can’t refuse.
The Euro 2024 star has completed more successful take-ons per 90 than any other Bilbao player in La Liga this season, and is tied with his brother Inaki for shots attempted per match (WhoScored).
أحرز لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي باريس سان جيرمان، فابيان رويز، الهدف الأول في شباك آرسنال، خلال اللقاء الذي يجمعهما بمنافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويواجه آرسنال نظيره باريس سان جيرمان، في منافسات إياب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، على ملعب “بارك دي برانس”.
وانتهت مواجهة الذهاب بين الفريقين، بفوز باريس سان جيرمان، بهدف دون رد، خلال المباراة التي جمعتهما على ملعب “الإمارات”.
اقرأ أيضاً.. لابورتا: برشلونة تعرض لضرر كبير من التحكيم.. وهذا ما نحتاجه للنهوض مجددًا
ونجح لاعب باريس سان جيرمان، فابيان رويز، في تسجيل الهدف الأول لفريقه في اللقاء عند الدقيقة 27 من عمر الشوط الأول.
هدف أصحاب الأرض جاء من خلال تسديدة يسارية قوية من فابيان رويز، مستغلاً إبعاده للكرة من قبل توماس بارتي داخل منطقة الجزاء، إثر تنفيذ ضربة حرة مباشرة جانبية على مرمى الجانرز. هدف باريس سان جيرمان الأول أمام آرسنال بـ دوري أبطال أوروبا
باريس سان جيرمان يفتتح التسجيل عن طريق فابيان رويز#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا | #باريس_سان_جيرمان_ارسنال #UCL pic.twitter.com/Hhq4MZrONK — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 7, 2025
Ron Kalifa, the man widely tipped to become the next chair of the ECB, has withdrawn from the race, to deepen the leadership crisis at the top of English cricket.The ECB has been without a permanent chair since October, when Ian Watmore quit the role in the wake of England’s withdrawal from their planned tour of Pakistan, and after appearing to lose the confidence of several counties following a meeting on the domestic structure.Barry O’Brien, Watmore’s former deputy, initially took over in an interim capacity, but stood down at last month’s board meeting, citing ill-health, with Martin Darlow, another non-executive director, stepping up as the new stand-in.But the board’s hopes that Kalifa could fill the power vacuum on a permanent basis have reportedly been dashed with his withdrawal from the relaunched nominations process – a process that he himself had been heading up until last month when it became clear that, rather than any of his shortlisted contenders, Kalifa himself was the best qualified candidate to take over the top role.Related
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With Tom Harrison, the ECB’s incumbent CEO, keen to move on after seven years in his role, Kalifa’s nomination could have paved the way for Andrew Strauss, the former England captain and recent interim director of men’s cricket, to take over that key position.However, Kalifa was reported by The Times to have had a change of heart, potentially triggered by suggestions among the first-class counties that his nomination would have amounted to a “stitch-up” given his initial role leading the nominations committee, and been prone to intense scrutiny, not least from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee, to which the board is obliged to report on a quarterly basis in the wake of English cricket’s racism crisis.Brenda Trenowdan – another non-executive director – has been charged with leading the renewed nominations committee, but given the formal nature of the process, it is now extremely unlikely that the board will be able to announce a new chair in time for its Annual General Meeting later this month.There are more promising developments in the hunt for a new head coach for England’s Test team, however, with the Evening Standard reporting that the interview process is underway, with just over three weeks until the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.With a preference for splitting the coaching role into red- and white-ball cricket, Rob Key, the newly appointed men’s director, stated at his own unveiling last week that he was “optimistic” that a Test appointment could be made before the New Zealand series gets underway. Simon Katich and Gary Kirsten are understood to be the frontrunners for that job, with Graham Ford and Jason Gillespie also in consideration.
Glasgow Rangers head coach Philippe Clement has bought himself time to turn things around at Ibrox after a strong run of form for the team in recent weeks.
Despite losing, the Ibrox giants showed plenty of quality and fight in their defeat against Celtic in the League Cup final on Sunday, losing on penalties after a 3-3 draw in regulation time.
The Light Blues also came into that match off the back of a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League, and recently smashed Nice 4-1 in France.
Football Insider reported after Sunday’s loss that the team’s improved performances in recent weeks have bought the manager more time from the board, despite there still being a huge gap to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
The Gers are 11 points behind their Glasgow rivals in the top-flight and will need a huge swing in the second half of the season to end up with the title.
Clement and Nils Koppen could, though, use the upcoming January transfer window to make further additions to the squad, in the hope of winning some silverware in 2025.
Rangers interested in Premier League maestro
According to Caught Offside, Rangers are one of a number of British clubs lining up a move for out-of-favour Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The report claims that Premier League giants Arsenal are currently the favourites to land the English maestro when the January transfer window officially opens for business next month.
It states that the Blues already view him as being surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, despite only joining them from Leicester City at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Dewsbury-Hall
CaughtOffside adds that there are a host of other clubs in the running to land his signature next month, though, as Leicester City, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford and Manchester United are all keeping tabs on his situation.
The outlet does not reveal, however, whether or not Dewsbury-Hall is open to leaving Chelsea, or if he would be willing to make the move up to Glasgow to play for Rangers in the second half of the season.
Koppen and Clement, though, must push to win the race for his services, potentially by convincing the player with the prospect of Europa League football, as he could come in as an excellent addition to the squad.
Dewsbury-Hall, a left-footed attacking midfielder, could arrive at Ibrox as the Belgian head coach’s own version of former Celtic star Matt O’Riley, who played a key role in Rangers missing out on the Scottish Premiership title in the 2023/24 campaign.
Matt O'Riley's form for Celtic last season
The Denmark international was the star of the show for Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead, with his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from midfield helping them to win the division.
O’Riley is a left-footed attacking midfielder, who can also play in a central midfield role, and earned himself a £25m move to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer.
The Seagulls swooped to sign the former MK Dons and Fulham man ahead of the 2024/25 campaign because of his outstanding performances in the Premiership for Celtic in the middle of the park last season.
Sofascore rating
7.91
1st
Goals
18
1st
Assists
13
1st
Big chances created
14
1st
Key passes per game
2.5
1st
As you can see in the table above, O’Riley was the club’s biggest contributor when it came to scoring goals, creating chances, and assisting his teammates in the top-flight.
The 24-year-old magician also started the current campaign with a whopping eight key passes in two Premiership outings before his move to Brighton was finalised.
Celtic won the league by eight points last term and his 31 goal contributions helped them to do so, as he consistently delivered quality in the final third from a midfield position for Rodgers.
Clement does not have a midfielder at the club with similar attacking qualities but the signing of Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea in January could ensure that he finally has his own version of O’Riley at Ibrox.
Why Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could be Clement's Matt O'Riley
Firstly, no Rangers central or attacking midfielder ended the 2023/24 Premiership campaign with more than seven goals or five assists, which illustrates how much more effective O’Riley was in comparison to the stars at Ibrox.
Dewsbury-Hall has not started any of his five appearances in the Premier League for Chelsea this season, but has started regularly in the Conference League for the Blues.
He has contributed with one goal and three ‘big chances’ created in four starts in Europe, which shows that he is a midfielder who can step up to make things happen at the top end of the pitch.
However, it is his form from his time with Leicester that truly shows why the left-footed midfield maestro could come in as Rangers’ own version of O’Riley in the second half of this season.
The Chelsea midfielder, who was once described as “sensational” by Rodgers – now the Celtic boss, caught the eye with his exceptional performances in the middle of the park in the Championship last season.
Appearances
44
Goals
12
Big chances created
20
Key passes per game
2.5
Assists
14
As you can see in the table above, Dewsbury-Hall offered a consistent threat at the top end of the pitch with his contributuions as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Foxes.
He created six more ‘big chances’ and assisted one more goal than O’Riley managed in the Premiership last season, which speaks to the outstanding level of creativity that the English whiz could bring to Ibrox.
Like the Danish dynamo, the Chelsea outcast could be a match-winner for Rangers by popping up with goals and assists week-in-week-out to win vital points for the team, which is why the Gers must push to land him ahead of their rivals in the January window.
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Newcastle United aren’t in crisis, but some gaping holes need filling in at St. James’ Park. The recent Premier League defeat at the Gtech has left Eddie Howe’s squad mired in 12th place, with just one win in five.
While there’s no inclination that Howe’s position is under threat, it’s pretty clear that things need to change if Newcastle are to complete the campaign and view it as one of success and progress.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
There’s an alarming lack of intensity, energy and positivity about this Magpies team, who have overcome the injury struggles of 2023/24 but are now suffering from a poor summer transfer window and the ramifications of PSR, spilling into the first-team squad.
That’s not to say that injuries have been totally wiped from the Tyneside slate, with Callum Wilson enduring a torrid season that has just been dealt another bruising blow.
Callum Wilson's latest injury
Wilson has featured across Newcastle’s past four Premier League fixtures, but only after sitting on the sidelines for the entirety of the opening phase of the campaign.
Callum Wilson in the Newcastle stands
Given that United have struggled for goals and fluency in attacking sequences, it’s clear that this has been to Howe’s detriment, for Wilson is always clinical, always dangerous, and has that ball-striking knack that would surely have provided the team with something more.
But he’s been out of action and now appears to be set for several months back in the medical room after picking up a hamstring injury – something that will keep him out indefinitely and is a recurrence of two similar problems from last season. It’s saddening to see, especially as the back injury that has ruled him out over recent months is a completely separate thing.
The January transfer window can’t come soon enough, but Howe will need to balance Alexander Isak’s workload and somehow maintain the potency of the Magpies attack.
The players who could replace Callum Wilson
Newcastle fans will rest assured in the fact that Isak is their prized forward, but the Swede has suffered from injury issues throughout his Premier League career and must not be freighted with too heavy a burden.
Luckily, Anthony Gordon can stand in at number nine when needed. He’s not a natural striker, to be sure, but offers dynamic qualities and can work in flux with left winger Harvey Barnes.
Miguel Almiron could also be considered as a stand-in forward, serving as Isak’s understudy, at least. However, the Paraguayan is on the margins as it is and has scored just one goal over 15 career appearances in a central striking role, which is rather typical.
Miguel Almiron
There’s also William Osula to consider. The French forward, 21, left Sheffield United to sign for the Toon in a £15m transfer last summer but has only featured four times in the Premier League, yet to start and yet to score across his total of ten minutes.
However, the fact that Osula has been involved in first-team action for the entirety of the campaign yet has scarcely featured on the Premier League pitch suggests that he is still not ready for the kind of role that Howe is looking for.
Of course, the latest blow only heightens the expectation that PIF will green-light some January spending to propel United back into the ascendency.
But in the interim, and perhaps into the latter phase of the term, Howe must consider unleashing academy talent Ben Parkinson.
Howe could boldly unleash Ben Parkinson
Parkinson, aged 19, has been a prominent figure in Newcastle’s academy system over the past several years and has been among the most influential U21s this season with six goals and an assist across 12 appearances.
Newcastle youngster Ben Parkinson
A dynamic attacking talent, Parkinson is capable of playing across the attacking span and has demonstrated a level of potency throughout – though, given that he is left-footed and focuses on goalscoring, he’s least effective on the left wing.
His talents have seen him rewarded with a senior debut, coming off the bench during a 2-0 Newcastle defeat against Bournemouth in the Premier League last season, though he has since continued his development in the academy zone, albeit spending a host of senior matches on the bench last year – including twice in the Champions League.
Ben Parkinson: Newcastle Stats by Level
Level
Apps
Goals
Assists
Newcastle U21
36
13
2
Newcastle U18
32
11
5
Newcastle YL
4
1
0
Newcastle
1
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
It’s curious to note that Parkinson has matched his numbers with the U18s as a U21 star, bespeaking growth and development that can often be the inverse for young hopefuls, bloated with numerical success in their maiden stage before fizzling out as they rise higher and higher.
With his 20th birthday only three months away, you’d think that Parkinson is reaching the stage when he would be a regular presence in the matchday squad, especially given Newcastle’s lack of options at centre-forward and indeed on the right flank, with Almiron and Jacob Murphy leaving plenty to be desired.
He’s a team player, adept in contributing toward flowing transitions (that are a staple of Howe’s system) and he’s been praised for his natural striking sense, with U21 coach Ben Dawson saying: “He’s always had that knack of being in the right place at the right time.”
Howe clearly entrusted Parkinson with a bit-part role in the senior squad last year, and now it’s time for the teenage talent to prove that he can step up to the plate as Isak’s understudy, and mollify the fanbase’s concern that Wilson’s fresh injury could be a devastating blow to a campaign that still hasn’t got going.
Newcastle must regret selling star who’s now similar to a £120m monster
The former Newcastle ace was impressive for the Magpies
According to Islamabad police, his name was removed from the FIR after the alleged victim retracted her earlier statement
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2022All charges against Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah, who was named in a case concerning the alleged rape of an underage girl, have been dropped. According to Islamabad police, Yasir’s name was removed from the First Information Report (FIR) after the alleged victim retracted her earlier statement.”The victim admitted that Yasir Shah’s name was included in the FIR due to misrepresentation,” a supplementary report from the Islamabad Shalimar police station, where the FIR was first lodged, said. “Yasir Shah has nothing to do with the alleged rape case.”The case against Yasir was registered by the girl’s aunt, who alleged that Yasir’s friend Farhanuddin had raped her niece at gunpoint, and that Yasir had threatened the girl’s aunt when she attempted to register a complaint against Farhanuddin. The case against the pair was registered on December 19 under Sections 292-B (child pornography) and 292-C (punishment for rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code.Earlier this week Farhanuddin fled from the courthouse after his pre-arrest bail application was rejected by a district and sessions court.Shah, 35, has not made any public comment on the situation, while the PCB earlier said: “We have noted that some allegations have been levelled against one of our centrally contracted players. The PCB is presently gathering information at its end and will only offer a comment when in possession of complete facts.”
O zagueiro Diego Costa vem ganhando espaço no São Paulo. Nesta temporada, ele é o defensor com mais minutos em campo, somando 360 em quatro jogos disputados neste começo de Campeonato Paulista.
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Somando todos os jogadores de defesa de linha, como zagueiros e laterais, Diego fica na frente de Reinaldo (300), Arboleda (270), Rafinha (256), Igor Vinícius (194), Léo (180), Miranda (180) e Welington (61).
A única partida que Diego Costa não atuou neste ano foi na derrota por 4 a 3 para o Red Bull Bragantino, na terceira rodada do estadual. Nos outros quatro jogos, ele foi titular e atuou durante os 90 minutos.
Diego está pendurado e deve continuar na equipe contra a Inter de Limeira, na próxima quinta-feira (17), às 21h30, no Morumbi, pela sexta rodada do Campeonato Paulista.
VEJA OS DEFENSORES COM MAIS MINUTOS EM CAMPO EM 2022
Diego Costa – 360 Reinaldo – 300 Arboleda – 270 Rafinha – 256 Igor Vinícius – 194 Miranda – 180 Léo – 180 Welington – 61
Manchester United are plotting a fresh move for a “special” talent next summer, according to a recent report. The Red Devils are expected to be busy in the upcoming transfer windows as INEOS look to shape a squad that fits the style that new manager Ruben Amorim wants to play at Old Trafford.
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The Portuguese was appointed the new United manager last week, and they have already been linked with several new players who could arrive under Amorim. The Premier League side added five new players in the summer, but Amorim and INEOS will know more changes are needed as United look to go in a different direction.
Amorim has stated that he will not be adding any Sporting players to his squad in January, but he hasn’t ruled out moves next summer. Therefore, the Red Devils and Amorim have made Goncalo Inacio a top target for next summer. The centre-back has been a key player under the 39-year-old, and he could be set for a move to Manchester in the not-too-distant future.
Andreas Christensen
But United also have another defender on their radar too, with rumours they have made a £12.5 million offer to sign Andreas Christensen from Barcelona. And their interest in centre-backs doesn’t stop there.
Jarrad Branthwaite a perfect signing for Amorim
According to TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Manchester United are plotting a fresh move for Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton. The 22-year-old started his career at Carlisle United, but after impressing in Cumbria, the Toffees decided to snap him up in 2020, and he has grown into an excellent Premier League defender.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
Branthwaite, who has been described as “pretty special” by Jamie Carragher, has had loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and PSV, but last season he took his chance in the Everton team and really excelled, as he played 35 times in the Premier League, scoring three goals, one coming in the win over Liverpool, and he also recorded a single assist.
United had two offers worth up to £50 million rejected for the England centre-back during the summer, but despite the rejection, Branthwaite remains at the top of their wishlist. Sporting director Dan Ashworth believes Branthwaite suits Amorim’s playing style and would fit into his 3-4-3 system.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s Everton stats
Apps
57
Goals
4
Assists
1
The Everton starlet does have an ambition to play for a top Premier League club, but the Red Devils are not the only interested side, as they also face competition from Liverpool, who are also admirers of the £35,000 per week defender. Branthwaite has started just one game for the Toffees this season due to injuries plaguing the early parts of this campaign.
Mahela Jayawardene returns home after successful consultancy spell with team
Matt Roller22-Oct-2021
Maheesh Theekshana picked up two wickets in an over before going off injured•ICC via Getty
Maheesh Theekshana is unlikely to be risked in Sri Lanka’s first Super 12s fixture against Bangladesh on Sunday after picking up a side injury during the eight-wicket win against Netherlands in Sharjah.Theekshana, the mystery spinner, took two wickets for three runs in his only over to reduce Netherlands to 20 for 3 but left the field holding his side, with Dhananjaya de Silva spending the rest of the innings deputising as a substitute fielder. Theekshana was seen receiving treatment in the dressing room and is likely to miss the Bangladesh fixture.”The physios have said the decision might be probably to leave him for the next game,” Bhanuka Rajapaksa, the middle-order batter, said. “We don’t want to risk it by playing him and then him not playing in the rest of the series. For the moment he will be missing the next game as far as I know. It’s not 100% decided yet, but most probably, he will miss the first game and then play the rest of the games.”Sri Lanka’s bowling attack has been a key component of their success in the tournament so far – they have bowled teams out for 96, 101 and 44 – and Rajapaksa hailed the combination of Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara’s high pace and Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga’s spin. He also said that Sri Lanka were prepared to face “much harder sides” than they had in the preliminary phase.Related
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Kumara and spinners combine as ruthless SL thump Netherlands
Sri Lanka bowl Netherlands out for 44 – the story in numbers
“I think it’s such a benefit having two bowlers who are bowling above 90mph. Any batsman, they get shook because bowling at 145 [kph] plus and not having any room, just bowling good areas, it’s always difficult as a batsman to get over.”I think at the same time, the spinners have been extremely good for us, and they’ve been sticking to their basics, and that’s one of the reasons why we have been winning throughout this tournament.”It’s always special to win games, whether it’s playing against Associate teams or whether it’s against good teams. Going forward, I think we’ll be facing much harder sides than Netherlands, Ireland and Namibia, [but I’m] extremely happy that Namibia went through because being an Associate side. I think they played some good cricket, as well. Going forward this is some good confidence for the boys.”Mahela Jayawardene, who has been with the squad as a consultant coach, will fly home before the Super 12s as intended but has had a clear influence on the side, having masterminded the decisions to use Avishka Fernando as a No. 4 and to promote Hasaranga to No. 5 in the win against Ireland.”It’s tough: I just counted that I have been 135 days in quarantine and bubbles since June and I am on my last legs,” he told Sri Lankan reporters in the UAE on Thursday. “But I totally understand and I told them I will be with the group with the technology that we have. I hope that anyone can understand that being a father that I haven’t seen my daughter for that many days. I definitely need to get back home.”Rajapaksa said: “He is a father and he has not seen his kids for like almost six months now, and we totally understand that, but we wish that he was with us for the rest of the tournament, as well.”But yes, he has made us a plan already. He had taken about 14, 15 hours yesterday with analysing and made some plans, but yeah, via Zoom, whatever internet connection we can get through, we will be dealing with him.”The presence of him, I don’t need to comment about it. Everyone has seen the difference of the side. We are very thankful for the effort he has put into this squad, and we want to work with him in the future, as well.”